bush-rubio-money-test

Campaign cash is flowing to Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio, Miami’s two Republican presidential candidates. They collect money directly for their campaigns but also have outside political groups backing them: “super” political action committees and tax-exempt nonprofits.

Campaign donations are capped, while super PACs and nonprofits can accept unlimited dollars. Campaigns and super PACs must disclose their donors, but nonprofits can keep them secret. Here’s how much each candidate has raised since they announced their presidential candidacy earlier this year. “Other” includes nonprofits. These graphics reflect total fundraising through Sept. 30.

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The super PAC donors

Super PACs attract wealthy donors who can write big checks to the committees, which can’t coordinate with a candidate’s campaign. Here are the top contributors in South Florida – consisting of Miami-Dade and Broward counties – Florida and the nation to super PACs backing Bush and Rubio:

Campaign fundraising

Since they announced their bids for president – Rubio in April and Bush in June – the two have received more than $38 million in campaign contributions nationwide. This is money given to candidates, not super PACs. About $34 million came from donors who gave more than $200, also known as itemized donations. Campaigns do not have to reveal information about donors who give less than $200.

Money from campaign contributions

The map below shows the difference in itemized campaign money Bush and Rubio received from donors in Florida. Bush is outraising Rubio in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Rubio has more support on Florida’s west coast.

The candidates are also competing for donors nationwide. So far, Bush is leading in most big-money states, including Florida, Texas, California and New York. Rubio is leading in the swing state of Ohio.